Chapter 9
I’d never been an advocate of eavesdropping, but it seemed I had suddenly developed something of a talent for it. I was just about to knock on the door of the morning room to say that brunch was ready when Jamie’s voice struck up again and his tone suggested that he was in no better temper than when I had heard him arguing with his father earlier.
‘Are you absolutely mad?’ I heard him say. ‘Do you really expect me to do this without any further discussion?’
‘No,’ said Catherine calmly, ‘I’m not mad. Although I have every right to be, given the sleepless nights and heartache I’ve endured since you upped and left.’
‘I didn’t just up and leave,’ was Jamie’s defensive response. ‘I had to get away to think things through and I had things I had to do.’
‘But if you’d stayed,’ retaliated Catherine, ‘we could have talked. You could have put a stop to this ridiculous idea and his pig-headed assumption that it was all going to go in his favour far sooner.’
I wondered if they were talking about Angus and one of his schemes. If they were, it certainly sounded like a big deal, far bigger than the toad-like hobbies and obsessions the women at The Cherry Tree Café had hinted at the day I arrived in town.
‘And anyway,’ Catherine continued, ‘I was under the impression that you had come back because you had decided to go ahead. I was planning to ring David Miller next week. I didn’t think there was going to be any need for further discussion.’
‘I had made up my mind,’ said Jamie. He sounded tired now. ‘Still have really. I just didn’t expect to come back and find another employee had been installed and there would be yet more wages to pay.’
At least he hadn’t called me a charity case this time.
‘And from what I can make out about this one—’
I didn’t want to hear another word. I had had it proved already that morning that no good came from listening at keyholes and decided it wasn’t an occupation I would be making a habit of. I knocked sharply on the door.
‘In a minute,’ Jamie snapped.
‘What is it, dear?’ asked Catherine, her face appearing around the frame.
‘Dorothy asked me to tell you that she’s ready to serve brunch.’
Back in the kitchen Dorothy was fussing over the table and Hayley was hoisting up her jeans. I was amazed there was any room for manoeuvre inside them at all and couldn’t imagine she could get a great deal of work done while wearing them. Surely all her efforts for the day would have to be concentrated on just breathing? I was going to be interested to see how much she managed to eat without splitting her seams.
‘Anna, my love,’ said Dorothy, as we all stood around waiting for Catherine and Jamie. ‘Would you go and fetch the extra side plates from next to the dishwasher, please? I seem to have cooked rather a lot and I don’t think we’ll be able to manage without them.’
I was more than happy to escape the tense expectation oozing from Hayley, if only for a few seconds, and strained my ears to hear if Jamie was going to be more enthusiastic in front of the adoring staff about his return home than he was whilst moaning to his parents.
It was immediately obvious when he had walked into the room because Hayley began to giggle like a besotted fangirl and insisted on delivering what sounded like a well-placed kiss. Her silly simpering was ridiculously unprofessional but it was also typical Hayley: honest, open and spontaneous. Truth be told, I felt a little jealous of her ability to wear her heart so unashamedly on her sleeve.
‘You,’ she gushed, and I could imagine her standing with her hands on her shapely hips, ‘look amazing.’
‘And you,’ Jamie laughed back, sounding nothing like the borderline aggressive specimen I had been covertly listening to all morning, ‘have to stop stealing my lines.’
‘Huh,’ said Hayley, sounding a muddled mix of blasé and flattered. ‘If only I could get a tan like that from two weeks sunning myself in Skegness. Tell me, where is it that you’ve been again?’
‘Never mind that now,’ said Dorothy, clearly put out that she had to wait in line, even though she had already seen him once that morning. ‘What about another kiss for me then?’
Once the gushing and mutually beneficial appraisals had died down, everyone took their seats at the table and I realised I had been loitering in the shadows far longer than I had intended. It had been my plan to slip in under the radar, but now it was too late and I would have to make a far more noticeable entrance.
‘Anna dear,’ called Dorothy, when she noticed I still wasn’t there, ‘have you found those plates?’
I took a deep breath, pinched some colour into my cheeks (an action I almost immediately regretted), picked up the required crockery and walked into the kitchen. Flanked by Catherine on one side and Hayley, who I was sure was trying to squeeze her way onto his lap, on the other, Jamie’s eyes flicked up to meet mine and that was when it happened.
Do you remember that moment in Four Weddings when ever-so-posh Tom spots very-distant-cousin Deirdre, and declares the fluttering in his heart and head are the result of Thunderbolt City? Yes? Well, multiply that by ten, add a sack full of butterflies and a steam train at full stretch churning around your stomach, and you’ll have some idea as to why I hadn’t needed to pinch my cheeks at all.
Clumsily I banged the plates on the table, making everyone else look up, and Jamie jumped to his feet, his intense green eyes never leaving my face. He wasn’t all that much taller than me and not at all like the man I had imagined courtesy of the monochrome photograph Catherine had shown me in the morning room or from the querulous voice I had heard.
‘Thank you, dear,’ Dorothy tutted, snatching the plates back up and inspecting them for cracks. ‘No harm done.’
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Hayley tapping her hand on her heart and fluttering her eyelashes, but I didn’t take any notice. I didn’t do anything. I just stood there like a fool, my gaze locked on most definitely the loveliest-looking man I had ever seen. It wasn’t just the intense eyes, the abundant freckles and the foppish hair that was in need of a trim, or the tan, although that was all more than enough to be going on with. No, there was a whole lot more happening than that.
I had never held much truck with the idea of love at first sight – surely when people championed that, what they really meant was ‘lust at first sight’, wasn’t it? But suddenly I wasn’t so convinced. What I was sure of, however, was that I’d never before just glanced at someone and felt like this in my entire life which, considering how much he despised my presence, how defensive I felt about being labelled a ‘charity case’ and how determined I was to set the record straight, was a huge inconvenience. It was a gargantuan pain in the backside, actually.
‘Jamie,’ said Angus, finally realising that introductions were going to be necessary, ‘this is Anna. Anna, this is Jamie.’
‘Anna,’ said Jamie softly, ‘I’m pleased to meet you.’
Ever since I’d heard him arguing with Angus earlier I’d been poised to bite back with something pithy and professional when we were finally in each other’s company, but hearing him say my name had turned my knees to jelly and my insides to mush. It was pathetic and improper and completely beyond my control.
‘Likewise,’ I smiled.
Forcibly I dragged my recently abandoned go-to alter ego back out to play her part and let the real me collapse on the sidelines to take a breather.
‘I know you have been missed here very much,’ I went on in a more clipped and formal tone. ‘How was the final part of your journey home in the end?’
I sat down carefully in my seat and waited for an answer.
‘Jamie,’ Catherine hissed when he didn’t say anything, but kept staring, ‘do sit down. We’re waiting to start.’
‘Sorry,’ he mumbled, looking confused as he bumped back down on his chair and blinked a few times before clearing his throat. ‘It was OK, Anna, thanks. A bit around the houses, but I’m here now.’
‘Excellent,’ I nodded, while trying to ignore more of Hayley’s wild gesturing in the background. ‘Great.’
I have absolutely no recollection of what we ate for that meal, but given Dorothy’s usually delicious fare I can only imagine that it was wonderful and that there would have been plenty of it. Angus had uncorked a couple of bottles of champagne and we all enjoyed a glass, except for Mick, who stuck to mineral water and gave me a conspiratorial wink when no one was looking.
‘So,’ said Jamie, as Dorothy stacked plates and handed out the coffee cups. He didn’t sound anywhere near as confrontational now as he had when talking about me earlier, ‘Dad tells me you’re here for Christmas, Anna.’
Technically that was true. I was staying for Christmas, I just wasn’t organising it. I was sure I saw a quick glance pass from one end of the table to the other and imagined Angus holding his breath.
‘Yes,’ I said, ‘that’s right. I’m here for Christmas.’
Was that a slight exhalation I heard?
‘I daresay you’ll find the festive set-up here a little different to what you’re used to,’ Jamie continued.
Also true, given that I always went to such lengths to avoid all things Christmas-related.
‘And talking of Christmas,’ said Catherine, just as Hayley was about to pipe up and no doubt put her size fives firmly in it, ‘your father has had a wonderful idea.’
‘Another one?’ said Jamie, still looking at me. ‘Well I hope this one’s cheaper but no less cheerful than the last.’
‘He thinks it’s about time we reinstated the Solstice celebration,’ Catherine continued.
‘Really?’ Jamie said, looking at his father, his beautiful emerald eyes wide in surprise.
I wasn’t at all surprised by his response. I had already assumed that he would hate the idea of more people descending when he had only just arrived back from his travels.
‘Actually I always thought it was a shame you gave in and put a stop to it,’ he shocked me by saying, before more predictably adding, ‘but I’m not sure, what with everything else we still have to sort, that this is the right year to start it up again. I know how things snowball here and if we’re not careful you’ll be telling me next that you’re planning to host the local panto.’
‘The panto,’ said Hayley excitedly, ‘now that’s an even better idea than the Solstice celebration. I’ve never really been a fan of traipsing about the woods on the darkest day of the year.’
Clearly she was yet to reconnect with her Pagan side, but I had started to look forward to searching for the Yule log and listening to tales around the fire.
‘I don’t know about the pantomime,’ said Catherine. ‘I think organising the Solstice will be enough for us to be going on with for now and we really are very keen.’
I was further surprised that Jamie was prepared to give in without more of an argument.
‘Well in that case, I shouldn’t worry too much about it, Mum,’ he smiled, reaching for her hand and squeezing it. ‘If we really are going to host it, I think Mother Nature has the nuts and bolts of the occasion pretty much covered.’
Hayley snorted inelegantly and turned puce.
‘And we’re also thinking of asking the ramblers back,’ said Angus, keen to share all of his ideas at once now he knew Jamie was in a more agreeable mood, ‘and the library group.’
‘And the WI,’ added Dorothy.
This was surprising news, and as well as wondering why it had all stopped in the first place, I was also curious as to what had prompted the change of heart.
‘Well I never,’ said Jamie, looking and sounding even more shocked. ‘And there was me thinking Archie was going to have his own way for ever. What does he have to say about all this?’
Clearly the recent goings-on, or not, at the hall had been under the influence of one brother more than any other and it certainly wasn’t the one sitting opposite me.
‘He doesn’t know,’ said Mick meaningfully.
Jamie nodded and drained his glass of champagne.
‘Well, that’ll be something to look forward to discussing over the turkey then,’ he said, with something like relish. ‘I hope you’ve warned Anna just what’s in store now the clan have been called together.’
Neither Catherine nor Angus said anything and I wondered again what was really going on behind the scenes at Wynthorpe Hall. Everything had been jogging along smoothly enough when I arrived, but throwing the three brothers into the mix was obviously going to stir things up a bit.
‘Be prepared for pistols at dawn,’ Jamie said, looking deep into my eyes again, ‘recriminations and accusations.’
‘You make Christmas with the Connellys sound like a dodgy fly-on-the-wall docu-soap,’ I replied.
‘Christmas with the Connellys,’ he said, biting his lip. ‘I like the sound of that. How do you fancy being in charge of the filming, Hayley?’
‘I’d rather be in front of the camera, thanks,’ she huffed.
‘Of course you would,’ he said, throwing his arm around her shoulders and giving her a consolation squeeze.
She went an even brighter shade of red and was straight back to her bouncy self.
‘But all joking aside,’ he said, turning his attention back to his parents, ‘I might have disagreed with Archie on practically every single point he’s made recently, but he was right about the public liability situation.’
Angus began to shuffle in his seat.
‘Please,’ said Jamie, appealing to his father. ‘Please tell me that you now have a policy in place and that we aren’t still in the vulnerable state we were before my dear brother took it upon himself to shut this place down.’
‘Shut this place down?’ I questioned. ‘Was it actually open to the public then?’
The thought of the hall being officially open with no insurance made my heart skip a beat and it had nothing to do with Jamie’s fabulous freckles.
‘Not formally,’ said Jamie. ‘There were no guided tours or coach parties or anything.’
‘It was all much simpler than that,’ explained Catherine. ‘And much the same as we’d like it to be again now that Jamie—’ she stopped herself from saying whatever was coming next. ‘A space for the WI and other local groups to meet and hold events that can’t be accommodated in town,’ she said instead, repeating what had already been suggested. ‘That sort of thing.’
‘So did Archie make you shut things down before because he thought the hall, and the family, was vulnerable with no insurance?’ I asked, curious to hear the whole story.
‘It looked that way for a while,’ said Jamie evasively, ‘but his real motives for enforcing the changes have come to light now. But they don’t really matter,’ he quickly added.
I wished they did because I was itching to find out the back story of what was sounding more and more like an intriguing family feud.
‘But as you’ve decided to go against what he wants, Mum and Dad, please tell me you have something sorted and aren’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing us sued for the final few pennies we have in the bank?’
It was obvious to me, even though I didn’t know the details, that Jamie had left home to travel the world with more of a justification than wanderlust and that he had come back now for a very specific reason. I hoped I wouldn’t have to wait too long before I found out what it was.
I fiddled with my napkin and sat quietly wondering if this intimate conversation would have been happening were it not for the tongue-loosening effects of the fizz, then I remembered we were at Wynthorpe Hall and realised yes, it probably would. Jamie, not unlike his parents, clearly viewed those around the table as his extended family, even the new-girl party planner sitting opposite him.
‘No,’ said Angus. ‘We don’t need it.’
‘Yes,’ shot back Catherine. ‘We do.’
Angus shook his head.
‘No one who’s going to be coming here would sue us,’ he said firmly. ‘Everyone will be local and grateful that we’re opening our doors again. This place has always been inclusive and generous; you know that better than anyone, my dear. Look at the parties your grandparents used to give.’
‘But the world is a different place now,’ said Catherine.
‘Where there’s blame, there’s a claim,’ Hayley added helpfully.
‘And besides,’ said Catherine, ‘we do have a policy.’
‘Since when?’ frowned Angus.
‘Since I insisted that you should have one,’ I chipped in. ‘The day you suggested inviting people back to celebrate the Solstice I set one up.’
‘And at my behest,’ said Catherine firmly.
Jamie looked from his parents to me and smiled.
‘Not bad,’ he said, ‘not bad at all, Miss Woodruff.’
‘Not bad for a party planner,’ I shot back.
Fortunately Angus didn’t appear to have heard.
‘So much for trying to save money!’ he grunted. ‘What a waste.’
‘You should talk to Mr Brooke, Angus,’ said Mick sternly. ‘You’d soon change your mind on that score then.’
‘What’s Mr Brooke got to do with our dwindling bank balance?’ asked Angus.
Mick then went on to explain how Mr Brooke, who sounded like a local nuisance by all accounts, had been awarded over five thousand pounds for injuries incurred while he was trespassing on a neighbouring farmer’s land. Angus went very quiet after that.
‘Come on,’ said Dorothy, trying to lighten the mood. ‘Let’s see who gets to open the Advent calendar today.’
‘I’m guessing this is one of your finds, Dad?’ said Jamie, looking over at the wall. ‘Who kicked things off yesterday?’
‘I had that particular honour,’ I said.
‘Because we didn’t know if she was staying or not,’ Hayley unhelpfully butted in. ‘So your dad made sure she got in early.’
The girl really was a liability.
‘But why would you employ someone to organise Christmas if they weren’t going to be here for Christmas?’ frowned Jamie.
‘She’s not here to organise Christmas,’ Hayley’s dulcet tones rang out again.
‘What?’
‘Looks like you’re up today,’ I quickly cut in before disaster struck. ‘Your dad has gone to so much trouble. I can’t wait to see what he’s found for you.’
Jamie looked at his mother for a moment and his stern expression suggested that he was going to get to the bottom of whatever it was that Hayley was talking about just as soon as he could.
‘I had a music box,’ I babbled on. ‘It plays the tune my mum always used to sing when she was baking at Christmas. Silver Bells was her absolute favourite.’
‘Used to sing,’ said Dorothy, picking up on what I had said in my panic to bail Catherine out. ‘Was her favourite, my dear – isn’t it any more?’
‘She died,’ I said quietly, amazed that I could share something so private, so monumental in such an informal moment.
‘Come on then, lad,’ said Mick quickly before anyone had a chance to comment or sympathise. ‘Let’s see what you’ve got.’
Personally, the vintage black and mother of pearl Conway Stewart pen Jamie unwrapped didn’t mean anything to me, but he nodded, with something akin to resignation, when he saw it and Catherine looked extremely bright-eyed.
‘I thought it would be just the thing,’ said Angus. ‘It’s not all that dissimilar to the one your mother used, is it, dear?’
‘No,’ she sniffed, ‘it isn’t.’
‘Well, in that case, Mum,’ Jamie sighed, ‘you better make that call.’